I'm No Orphan Anymore

It's heartbreaking to watch some students chase after things that don't really matter. They get wrapped up in their looks, grades, sports, who they date, where they work, and who they hang out with. As they get older, they continue to find their worth in what they do rather than who God says they are. As I talk with Christians and listen to the words they use to describe themselves, I'd be curious to find out how many actually believe that they are children of God. Pause and think about that for a moment. If you are in Christ, you are actually a child of God, a son or daughter of the Creator of the universe (1 John 3:2, Galatians 3:26).

There is a song called "All He says I am" by Gateway Worship and the lyrics to the bridge says, "Chains are broken, scales are on the floor, truth is spoken, I'm no orphan anymore." The truth spoken to us through the Word of God breaks chains of sin and bondage and when we realize that we are children of God, we realize our identity...that we're not orphans anymore spiritually. Christ calls us His own. Now that is something to be encouraged about! That is something to celebrate!

I was really challenged by a thought last week from Reggi, our Worship Pastor. He said, "Rather than think about who I am in Christ, we should think more about who Christ is in me." When we think about who we are in Christ, the thought is still revolved around us. Our strengths. Our weaknesses. The things we've done and want to do. When we shift that thought to think about who Christ is and then realize that He actually lives IN us, it changes the game. Christ calls us sons and daughters. Christ calls us righteous. Christ calls us worthy. Christ calls us good. Why? Because if He is IN us and if He is those things, then that makes US those things! Jesus' identity is now our identity and if God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? There is no shame or condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1, John 3:18). There is only love and grace. A grace that accepts you long before you believe or behave...

Rebel

As a pastor's kid growing up, I unfortunately added to the stereotype. I rebelled without having a reason to rebel. I bought into the lies the devil sold and chased after meaningless pleasures. Although those mistakes have shaped the man I am today, I still wish I wasn't such an idiot. I believe many young people buy into the lies thinking the activities of the world are fun. But those lies never satisfy. Just look at the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The son rebelled and in verse 17 it literally says, "When he came to his senses..." The son realized that the lifestyle he was walking in wasn't fun and he was acting like an idiot. He comes up with a plan to return to his father's house. In the next several verses, we see an incredible picture of the grace of God. But before the grace could be received, the son still had to make a choice...do I continue to live like the world or will I choose Christ?

As a youth pastor, I witness students making the same mistakes. I am heartbroken over how many students would rather follow their friends to failure than stand alone in their faith with Christ. Our society makes it seem like being a rebel is cool. But a rebel is doing something that nobody else is doing. In today's culture, it seems like most students are involved in illegal or wrong activities. We claim it as being a rebel or risky or cool because we do what we're not supposed to do. But again, a rebel is doing something that nobody else is doing. A very small amount of students are living for Christ. If you want to be a true rebel, then do something that no one else is doing. How about being a rebel for Christ. It seems like very few are standing alone or standing up for what they believe, actually living to make an impact for the Gospel. It only takes one student to make an impact...

Are you willing to take a stand for Christ even if that means standing alone?

Everlasting vs Eternal

Have you ever realized that the words everlasting and eternal don't mean the same thing? Yet they are interchangeable in some of the verses that talk about life after death. Everlasting life is really talking about the life we will have with or without God forever, but eternal life has no beginning. (Mind Blown). So, when we accept Christ and are given eternal life, whose life do we now possess? My physical body had a beginning but now that I am spiritually united with Christ, I have eternal life - life with no beginning or end. Having eternal life means that you now possess God's divine life. Andrew Farley puts it this way, "Eternal life is not your life made better. Eternal life is not your life made longer. Eternal life is an altogether different life - a life not your own now imparted to you. Eternal life is Christ's life." John 14:19 says because Christ lives, I also will live. Colossians 3:4 says when Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

It doesn't matter that your family jokes about you being an "oops baby". You were God's idea before you were your parents 'mistake'. Before the world existed, God knew you (Jeremiah 1:5). And now that we have eternal life in Christ, we are able to live a new life. A life united with God. A force that had no beginning!

The Right Question

As I read the Gospels, it's interesting to note how many times Jesus answers a question with a question. The disciples ask Jesus how they are to respond when people ask them who He is...Jesus responds by asking them who do you say I am? The Pharisees question Jesus' miracle on the Sabbath...Jesus responds by asking them if it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath? The list goes on...

In my own experiences in ministry I have often found that if I can respond with a question, most people will be able to digest and discern for themselves the answer. However, learning to ask the right question is the most important yet challenging thing to do.

In order to keep a conversation going, questions that only require a yes or no answer are absolutely the worst kinds of questions. And when dealing with students, this usually ends the conversation. Asking questions differently can get to the heart of what actually needs to be discussed. I say this because usually when I am asked a question that causes controversy or is a grey issue, there is a hidden reason behind the motives of the question. Most people are looking to get around the 'rules' or push the boundaries in what they believe. They want to know things like how far is too far and how close can I get to the line without crossing over. Instead of sharing our own convictions, we need to ask better questions in response to the things people ask us. Andy Stanley writes a whole book on this subject titled, "The Best Question Ever". Spoiler Alert: The best question ever is to ask yourself: What is the wise thing to do? A lot of regrets can be avoided if we replaced our questions with the thought of, is this wise?